David Porteous

Published:15:59Wednesday 08 July 2015

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Plans for the A45 Development Link road, considered essential for future economic growth in the Daventry area, are set to be given the final go-ahead by Northamptonshire County Council’s Cabinet next week.

The £32 million single carriageway, which would also effectively provide a bypass for the villages of Flore, Upper Heyford and Weedon, has been made possible through a county council-led funding scheme.

Known as the Northamptonshire Revolving Infrastructure Fund (NRIF), the mechanism sees local authorities, developers and contractors working together to put the money in place for the scheme. This approach has been possible because of the county council funding the design, planning and implementation costs upfront.

Councillors are being asked by officers to agree the funding package and appoint Balfour Beatty as the contractor for its construction.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage, cabinet member for infrastructure and public protection, said: “Without this approach to funding, and the county council’s leadership, it would not be possible to deliver this link road or the growth proposals, and resultant homes, private sector investment and new jobs outlined for the Daventry area.

“I am not aware of a similar approach on this scale anywhere else in the country and, put simply, this road is absolutely vital for the Daventry area.

“Residents in the villages of Flore, Weedon and Upper Heyford have waited for years for this road to be built and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to come up with a pioneering way of funding which has made it possible.

“The council continues to operate in very challenging economic conditions with less funding coupled with more demand on its services. This means that we need to be original and enterprising.

“The NRIF and the delivery of this road are a prime example of this.”

Planning permission for the scheme was granted by the county council’s development control committee on June 16. It is hoped work will start in late autumn this year.

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